Interpretive Summary: The application of high-throughput technologies in mammalian gamete biology is undoubtedly accelerating the pace of surface membrane protein detection. However, there is a need for strong interactions between biologists and bioinformaticians for a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of generated datasets. The association of both small- and large-scale methods and pertinent functional analyses is essential to identify the most informative protein candidates. Additionally, we believe that the development of highly sensitive biophotonic tools and bioluminescent/fluorescent nanoparticles will offer a new prospect for noninvasive functional analyses. All together, these technological improvements are and will contribute to the expansion of our knowledge of gametogenesis and embryogenesis.

Technical Abstract:
Establishment of the diploid status occurs with the fusion of female and male gametes. Both the mammalian oocyte and spermatozoa are haploid cells surrounded with plasma membranes that are rich in various proteins playing a crucial role during fertilization. Fertilization is a complex and ordered step-by-step process involving many surface membrane proteins of both gametes. Various proteins involved in this process have been reported, and functional analyses suggest the existence of many others unidentified proteins and possible molecular interactions. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies have allowed the expression profiling of both gametes and the generation of floods of information that permits the prediction of molecular mechanisms underlying sperm-oocyte interactions. Here, we provide a short summary on research and progress leading to new ways of assessing plasma membrane proteins in mammalian gametes.